Pipe insulation coupling

ABSTRACT

A pipe insulation coupling for coupling adjacent facing ends of elongated cylindrical pipe insulation tubing encased around a fluid pipe includes an elongated body extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end. The elongated body includes a pair of C-shaped clam shell portion interconnected by a living hinge for pivotal movement between an open position for receiving the pipe and a closed position clamped around the pipe and insulation tubing. Each clam shell portion includes an outer tube wall and an inner tube extending longitudinally between the first and second ends and defining a channel therebetween for receiving the adjacent facing ends of the insulation tubing. A planar wall interconnects the outer tube wall and the inner tube wall midway between the ends to abut the adjacent ends of the insulation tubing. Each of the outer tube wall and inner tube wall include a tapered inner surface extending from the planar wall to the first and second ends to gradually decrease the width of the channel to frictionally retain the adjacent ends of the insulation tubing within the channel along opposing sides of the planar wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a pipe insulation coupling,and more particularly, to a pipe insulation coupling for couplingadjacent ends of pipe insulation tubing encased around an elongate fluidpipe.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional pipes used for conveying or transferring fluids, such asrefrigeration pipes, water pipes, and the like, are commonly encased ina cellular foam insulation tubing. The insulation tubing is typicallyprovided in predetermined lengths and aligned longitudinally andend-to-end along the length of the pipe. It is desirable to prevent theseparation between adjacent facing ends of the insulation tubing toincrease the insulation characteristics and efficiency of the pipe. Theadjacent ends of the insulation tubing are typically interconnected bytape, adhesive or straps. However, this type of interconnection is laborintensive, costly and inefficient. Mechanical means and closuremechanisms have also been employed for attachment to insulation tubingsuch as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,820,845; 2,919,721;3,058,860 and 3,289,704.

It remains desirable to provide a coupling which may be easily attachedto the pipe between sections of insulation tubing for receiving andcoupling adjacent facing ends of longitudinally aligned insulationtubing encased about the pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a pipe insulation coupling for couplingadjacent ends of elongated pipe insulation tubing comprising anelongated body extending along a longitudinal axis between a first endand a second end. The elongated body includes a cylindrical outer tubewall extending along the longitudinal axis between the first end and thesecond end. The elongated body further includes a cylindrical inner tubewall spaced inwardly from and generally parallel to the outer tube walland extending along the longitudinal axis between the first end and thesecond end. The inner tube wall and the outer tube wall defining anelongated channel therebetween adapted to receive adjacent ends of thepipe insulation tubing. The coupling also includes a planar wallpositioned transverse to the longitudinal axis for interconnecting theouter tube wall and the inner tube wall midway between the first andsecond ends and adapted to abut the adjacent ends of the pipe insulationtubing. The coupling further includes at least one of the outer tubewall and the inner tube wall having a tapered inner surface extendingfrom the planar wall to each of the first and second ends for graduallydecreasing the space between the outer tube wall and the inner tube walldefined by the channel to frictionally retain the adjacent ends of thepipe insulation tubing within the channel along opposing sides of theplanar wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated asthe same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe insulation coupling secured to anelongated pipe for coupling adjacent ends of pipe insulation tubing;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the pipe insulation coupling having a pair ofclam shell portions shown pivotal between an open position and a closedposition;

FIG. 3 is cross-sectional side view of the pipe insulation couplingsecured to the elongated pipe and coupling adjacent ends of the pipeinsulation coupling;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pipe insulation coupling having theclam shell portions in the open position for receiving the elongatedpipe and pipe insulation tubing;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional end view of an alternative embodiment of thepipe insulation coupling attached to a support structure;

FIG. 6 is a partially broken end view of the pipe insulation couplinghaving an alternative locking mechanism in an unlocked condition forinterconnecting the first and second clam shell portions of thecoupling;

FIG. 7 is a partially broken end view of the pipe insulation couplingwith the locking mechanism of FIG. 6 is a locked condition;

FIG. 8 is an end view of another alternative embodiment of the pipeinsulation coupling;

FIG. 9 is an end view of yet another alternative embodiment of the pipeinsulation coupling;

FIG. 10 is an end view of still another alternative embodiment of thepipe insulation coupling; and

FIG. 11 is an end view of yet still another alternative embodiment ofthe pipe insulation coupling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, an elongated tubularpipe for transferring fluids therethrough is generally shown at 10 inFIG. 1. The pipe 10 is cylindrical, hollow and commonly of copper oraluminum construction such as that used for hydraulic pipes, pneumatictubes, refrigeration lines, water pipes, and the like, as are typicallyknown in the art. The pipe 10 is encased along its longitudinal lengthby elongated cellular foam pipe insulation tubing as shown at 12. Theinsulation tubing 12 is commonly provided in predetermined longitudinallengths having a longitudinal open slit 14 for wrapping the tubing 12around the pipe 10. The tubing 12 is commonly constructed of cellularpolyurethane foam for insulating the fluid transferred through the pipe10. A pair of elongated cellular pipe insulation tubing sections 12 areshown encased around the pipe 10 and having adjacent facing ends 16, 18.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, a pipe insulation coupling is generallyshown at 20 for coupling, or joining, the adjacent ends 16, 18 of thepipe insulation tubing 12. The coupling 20 is constructed of integrallymolded plastic and comprises an elongated cylindrical body 22 extendingalong a longitudinal axis between a first end 24 adjacent to and alignedwith the end 16 of the insulation tubing 12 and a second end 26 adjacentto and aligned with the end 18 of the insulation tubing 12. Referringalso to FIG. 2, the elongated body 22 includes a first generallyC-shaped clam shell portion 28 and a second generally C-shaped clamshell portion 30. A living hinge 32, such as a thin membrane of plasticmaterial, interconnects the first clam shell portion 28 and second clamshell portion 30 longitudinally between the first 24 and second 26 endsfor pivoting the clam shell portions 28, 30 from an open position toreceive the pipe 10 and the pipe insulation tubing 12, as shown in FIGS.2 and 4, and a closed position surrounding and coupled about the pipe 10and the adjacent ends 16, 18 of the pipe insulation tubing 12, as shownin FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

The first 28 and second 30 clam shell portions of the elongated body 22each include an arcuate outer tube wall 34 extending along thelongitudinal axis between the first end 24 and the second end 26 and anarcuate inner tube wall 36 spaced inwardly from and generally parallelto the outer tube wall 34 and also extending along the longitudinal axisbetween the first end 24 and the second end 26. In the closed position,the first 28 and second 30 clam shell portion abut together to form acylindrical outer tube wall 34 and a cylindrical inner tube wall 36. Thelaterally spaced apart outer tube wall 34 and inner tube wall 36 definean elongated channel 38 therebetween for receiving the adjacent ends 16,18 of the pipe insulation tubing 12.

Each of the clam shell portions 28, 30 of the coupling 20 also include aplanar wall 40 positioned transverse to the longitudinal axis andinterconnecting the outer tube wall 34 and the inner tube wall 36 midwaybetween the first and second ends 24, 26 for abutting with the adjacentends 16, 18 of the pipe insulation tubing 12. In other words, the planarwall 40 is formed integrally between the outer tube wall 34 and innertube wall 36 and closes the channel 38 midway between the first end 24and second end 26 to abut with the adjacent ends 16, 18 of the tubing12.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer tube wall 34 and the inner tubewall 36 have tapered inner surfaces 42 extending from the planar wall 40to each of the first and second ends 24, 26 for gradually decreasing thespace between the outer tube wall 34 and the inner tube wall 36 definedby the channel 38 to frictionally retain the adjacent ends 16, 18 of thepipe insulation tubing 12 within the channel 38 along opposing sides ofthe planar wall 40. More specifically, the tapered inner surfaces 42 ofthe outer tube wall 34 and the inner tube wall 36 taper outwardly fromeach of the first and second ends 24, 26 to the planar wall 40 anddecrease the space defined therebetween by the channel 38 such that thespace between the outer tube wall 34 and the inner tube wall 36 is lessadjacent the planar wall 40 than the space adjacent the first and secondends 24, 26. Therefore, the thickness of adjacent ends 16, 18 of theinsulation tubing 12 surrounding the pipe 10 becomes increasinglycompressed by the tapered inner surfaces 42 from the first and secondends 24, 26 to the planar wall 40 to frictionally retain the adjacentends 16, 18 in the channel 38. Alternatively, only one or the other ofthe outer tube wall 34 or inner tube wall 36 may include the taperedinner surface 42 which is sufficiently tapered to compressed theinsulation tubing 12 and frictionally retain the adjacent ends 16, 18within the channel 38 of the coupling 20. Further, the inner surfaces ofthe outer tube wall 34 and the inner tube wall 36 may alternatively beparallel, without a taper, and dimensioned to frictionally retain theends 16, 18 of the tubing 12 therein.

Referring the FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the inner tube wall 36 also defines acenter bore 44 when the clam shell portions 28, 30 are in the closedposition. The center bore 44 extends longitudinally between the firstand second ends 24, 26 for receiving the elongated cylindrical pipe 10therethrough. Finally, the coupling 20 further includes a plurality ofattachment tabs 46 extending outwardly from the elongated body 22 forsecuring the coupling 20, and thus, the pipe 10 and pipe insulationtubing 12 to a support structure 48. The attachment tabs 46 are fullyset forth in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,216, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its' entirety.

In operation, the coupling 20 may couple or joined the adjacent ends 16,18 of the insulation tubing 12 by first pivoting the clam shell portions28, 30 from the open position to the closed position by the living hinge32 to close the center bore 44 around the pipe 10 and secure thecoupling 20 to the pipe 10. The insulation tubing 12 may then be encasedaround the pipe 10 along longitudinally opposing sides or ends 24, 26 ofthe coupling 20. The tubing 12 is slid along the pipe 10 until theadjacent ends 16, 18 are received in the channel 38 between the outertube wall 34 and the inner tube wall 36. The planar wall 40 abuts andstops the adjacent ends 16, 18 of the tubing 12 within the coupling 20and the tapered inner surfaces 42 frictionally retain the ends 16, 18within the channel 38 of the coupling 20.

Referring to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of the pipe insulationcoupling 20 is shown. The coupling 20 similarly includes an elongatedcylindrical body portion 22 having a first generally C-shaped clam shellportion 28 and a second generally C-shaped clam shell portion 30. Thehinge 32, such as a living hinge or thin portion of material,interconnects the first and second clam shell portion 28, 30 forpivoting the portions 28, 30 between the open and closed positions. Whenin the closed position, the clam shell portions 28, 30 of the bodyportion 22 include a cylindrical outer tube wall 34 and a cylindricalinner tube wall 36 spaced inwardly from and generally parallel to theouter tube wall 34 and defining an elongated channel 38 therebetween forreceiving the adjacent ends 16, 18 of the pipe insulation tubing 12. Thecoupling 20 also includes a planar wall 40 positioned transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the body portion 22 and interconnecting the outertube wall 34 and the inner tube wall 36 generally midway between theends thereof. The outer tube wall 34 and inner tube wall 36 may haveparallel surfaces or tapered surfaces defined by the channel 38 toretain the adjacent ends 16, 18 of the pipe insulation tubing 12.

The alternative coupling 20 of FIG. 5 further includes an alignment tab50 and a pair of attachment clips 52, 54 for aligning and securing thecoupling 20 to a support structure 48. Specifically, the supportstructure 48 is a generally rectangular and hollow structure forsecuring and supporting the pipe 10 thereon and includes a plurality ofspaced apart attachment holes 56, 58, 60 therein. The alignment tab 50extends outwardly from the outer surface of the outer tube wall 34 andis received with the hole 56 for aligning the coupling 20 on the supportstructure 48. The attachment clips 52, 54 each include a base portion 62projecting outwardly from the outer tube wall 34 and a hook portion 64extending tangentially from the base portion 62. The base portion 62 isaligned and received in the respective hole 58, 60 and the hook portion64 engages the peripheral wall or rim of the structure 48 formed by thehole 58, 60 to lockingly secure the coupling 20, pipe 10, and tubing 12,to the support structure 48. The support structure 48 is typicallyaffixed to a wall for supporting one or more of the pipes 12 thereon.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, one embodiment of a locking mechanism isshown at 70 for interconnecting the first clam shell portion 28 andsecond clam shell portion 30. Specifically, the locking mechanism 70includes a locking tab 72 extending outwardly from the outer tube wall34 on the first clam shell portion 28 for engaging with a locking hook74 pivotally secured to the outer tube wall 34 on the second clam shellportion 30 between an unlocked condition, as shown in FIG. 6, and alocked condition, as shown in FIG. 7. The locking hook 74 is pivotallyconnected to the outer tube wall 34 on the second clam shell portion 30by a living hinge 76, such as a thin membrane of plastic material, forpivotal movement between the unlocked condition spaced and disengagedfrom the locking tab 72 and the locked condition engaging the lockingtab 72 to interconnect and close the first claim shell portion 28 andsecond clam shell portion 30 around the pipe insulation tubing 12. Itshould be appreciated, however, that may variations and configurationsof locking mechanism may be used for interconnecting the portions 28 and30 without varying from the scope of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, another alternative embodiment of a pipe insulationcoupling 20 is shown. The coupling 20 of FIG. 8 is substantially similarto the coupling of FIG. 5, and therefore, the differences will mainly bediscussed in detail. The coupling 20 includes an elongated cylindricalbody portion 22 having a first generally C-shaped clam shell portion 28and a second generally C-shaped clam shell portion 30. A hinge 80interconnects the first and second clam shell portion 28, 30 forpivoting the portions 28, 30 between the open and closed positions. Whenin the closed position, the clam shell portions 28, 30 of the bodyportion 22 include a cylindrical outer tube wall 34 and a cylindricalinner tube wall 36 spaced inwardly from and generally parallel to theouter tube wall 34 and defining an elongated channel 38 therebetween forreceiving the adjacent ends 16, 18 of the pipe insulation tubing 12. Thecoupling 20 also includes a planar wall 40 positioned transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the body portion 22 and interconnecting the outertube wall 34 and the inner tube wall 36 generally midway between theends thereof. The outer tube wall 34 and inner tube wall 36 may haveparallel surfaces or tapered surfaces defined by the channel 38 toretain the adjacent ends 16, 18 of the pipe insulation tubing 12. Thealternative coupling 20 of FIG. 8 further includes an alignment tab 50and a pair of attachment clips 52, 54 for aligning and securing thecoupling 20 to a support structure 48, as previously shown and describedin FIG. 5. The alignment tab 50 extends outwardly from a planar block orseat 51 affixed to the outer surface of the outer tube wall 34 and isreceived with the hole 56 for aligning the coupling 20 on the supportstructure 48. The attachment clips 52, 54 each include a base portion 62projecting outwardly from the outer tube wall 34 and a hook portion 64extending tangentially from the base portion 62. The base portion 62 isaligned and received in the respective hole 58, 60 and the hook portion64 engages the peripheral wall or rim of the structure 48 formed by thehole 58, 60 to lockingly secure the coupling 20, pipe 10, and tubing 12,to the support structure 48. The support structure 48 is typicallyaffixed to a wall for supporting one or more of the pipes 12 thereon.

The hinge 80 interconnecting the clam shell portions 28, 30 includes agenerally T-shaped slot formed in the planar wall 40. The hinge 80 maybe positioned at any desired design location about the circumferentialperimeter of the coupling 20. More specifically, the T-shaped slot, orhinge, is defined by a first slot 82 extending from and through theinner tube wall 36 and through the planar wall 40 to the outer tube wall34. The first slot 82 terminates at a second arcuate shaped slot 84 inthe planar wall 40 immediately adjacent and parallel to the outer tubewall 34. Depending on the overall circumferential length of the secondslot 84, the hinge 80 is formed by an elongated arcuate section of theouter tube wall 34 illustrated at 86, thereby providing a rolling hingebetween the portions 28, 30 rather than a single crease or point livinghinge similar to that shown in FIG. 5. The rolling hinge 80 shown inFIG. 8 provides smooth and easy movement of the portions 28, 30 betweenthe opened and closed position regardless of the diameter of thecoupling 20 and reduces wear and fatigue on the material forming thehinge by the outer tube wall 34.

The first and second clam shell portions 28, 30 are further separated byan opening or slot 88 spaced radially from the hinge 80 and definingfacing ends 90, 92 of the clam shell portions 28, 30, respectively. Theslot 88 extends through the inner tube wall 36 and planar wall 40 to theouter tube wall 34. The facing ends 90, 92 may be joined by afracturable thin web portion 94 of the outer tube wall 34. The coupling20 may be molded with or without the web portion 94 of the outer tubewall 34. That is, the slot 88 may extend through and between both theinner tube wall 36 and the outer tube wall 34.

In operation, if the pipe 10 is already assembled and installed asdesired, the coupling 20 may couple or joined the adjacent ends 16, 18of the insulation tubing 12 by first fracturing the web portion 94 ofthe outer tube wall 34 in order to facilitate pivoting of the clam shellportions 28, 30 from the open position to the closed position by thehinge 80 to close the center bore 44 around the pipe 10 and secure thecoupling 20 to the pipe 10. The insulation tubing 12 may then be encasedaround the pipe 10 along longitudinally opposing sides or ends 24, 26 ofthe coupling 20. The tubing 12 is slid along the pipe 10 until theadjacent ends 16, 18 are received in the channel 38 between the outertube wall 34 and the inner tube wall 36. The planar wall 40 abuts andstops the adjacent ends 16, 18 of the tubing 12 within the coupling 20and the tapered inner surfaces 42 frictionally retain the ends 16, 18within the channel 38 of the coupling 20. If the pipe 10 and insulationtubing 12 have been preinstall and assembled, the web portion 94 may beleft intact to provide a more rigid and stable solid piece coupling 20.The coupling 20 is then simply positioned to receive the pipe 10 throughthe center bore 44 and the adjacent ends 16, 18 of the tubing 12 withinthe channel 38 and against opposing sides of the planar wall 40.

Referring to FIG. 9, yet another alternative embodiment of the pipeinsulation coupling is shown at 20. Again, the coupling 20 includes acylindrical inner tube wall 36 defining a center bore 44 and a generallyparallel outer tube wall 34 spaced from the inner tube wall 36 by aperpendicular planar wall 40. The coupling 20 includes a first clamshell portion 28 and a second clam shell portion 30 interconnected by ahinge 80. The hinge 80 of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 9 includesa generally L-shaped slot defined by a first slot 82 extending throughthe inner tube wall 36 and planar wall 40 to the outer tube wall 34. Thefirst slot 82 terminates at a second arcuate slot 84 adjacent andparallel to the outer tube wall. Radially opposite the hinge 80, thefirst and second clam shell portions 28, 30 are further separated by anopening or slot 88 spaced radially from the hinge 80 and defining facingends 90, 92 of the clam shell portions 28, 30, respectively. The slot 88extends through the inner tube wall 36 and planar wall 40 to the outertube wall 34. The facing ends 90, 92 may be joined by a fracturable thinweb portion 94 of the outer tube wall 34. The coupling 20 may be moldedwith or without the web portion 94 of the outer tube wall 34. That is,the slot 88 may extend through and between both the inner tube wall 36and the outer tube wall 34

Referring to FIG. 10, still another alternative embodiment of the pipeinsulation coupling is shown at 20. The coupling 20 includes acylindrical inner tube wall 36 defining a center bore 44 and a generallyparallel outer tube wall 34 spaced from the inner tube wall 36 by acentral planar wall 40. The coupling 20 includes a slot 88 extendinglinearly through and between the inner tube wall 36 and outer tube wall34. A fracturable web portion 94 may extend across the slot 88 andinterconnect the outer tube wall 34 between the slot 88. The coupling 20of FIG. 10 includes a pair of hinges 80 a and 80 b. The hinges 80 a, 80b are radially spaced apart and defined by generally L-shaped slotssimilar to the hinge 80 of FIG. 9. Each hinge 80 a, 80 b includes alinear slot portion 82 extending through the planar wall 40 between theinner tube wall 36 and the outer tube wall 34 and an arcuate slot 84intersecting the end of the linear slot 82 and generally parallel andadjacent to the outer tube wall 34. A thin fracturable web portion 85may extend across the slot 82 interconnecting the sections of the innertube wall 36, either one of which may be fractured to provide openingand closing of the hinge 80 a, 80 b. The pair of hinges 80 a, 80 bprovide a double hinged coupling 20 for additional flexibility andversatility when operating between the open position and the closedposition around the pipe 12.

Finally, referring to FIG. 11, yet still another alternative embodimentof a pipe insulation coupling is shown at 20. Again, the coupling 20includes a cylindrical inner tube wall 36 defining a center bore 44 anda generally parallel outer tube wall 34 spaced from the inner tube wall36 by a center planar wall 40. The coupling includes a slot 88 extendinglinearly through and between the inner tube wall 36 and outer tube wall34. A fracturable web portion 94 may extend across the slot 88 andinterconnect one or both of the outer tube wall 34 and/or inner tubewall 36 between the slot 88. The coupling 20 of FIG. 11 includes aplurality of hinges 80 a, 80 b, 80 c, 80 d. The hinges 80 a, 80 b, 80 c,80 d are radially spaced apart and include both the generally L-shapedslots similar to the hinge 80 of FIG. 9 and the T-shaped slots similarto the hinge 80 of FIG. 8. Each hinge 80 a, 80 b includes a linear slotportion 82 extending through the planar wall 40 between the inner tubewall 36 and the outer tube wall 34 and an arcuate slot 84 intersectingthe linear slot 82 and generally parallel and adjacent to the outer tubewall 34. A thin fracturable web portion 85 may extend across the slot 82interconnecting the sections of the inner tube wall 36, either one ofwhich may be fractured to provide opening and closing of the hinge 80 a,80 b. The plurality of hinges 80 a, 80 b, 80 c, 80 d provide a multiplehinged coupling 20 for additional flexibility and versatility whenoperating between the open position and the closed position around thepipe 12.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended tobe in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Many modification and variations of the present invention are possiblein light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood thatwithin the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practicedother than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pipe insulation coupling for coupling adjacentends of elongated pipe insulation tubing comprising: an elongated bodyextending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a secondend, said elongated body including; a cylindrical outer tube wallextending along said longitudinal axis between said first end and saidsecond end, a cylindrical inner tube wall spaced inwardly from andgenerally parallel to said outer tube wall and extending along saidlongitudinal axis between said first end and said second end, said innertube wall and said outer tube wall defining an elongated channeltherebetween adapted to receive adjacent ends of pipe insulation tubing,a planar wall positioned transverse to said longitudinal axis forinterconnecting said outer tube wall and said inner tube wall midwaybetween said first and second ends and adapted to abut the adjacent endsof the pipe insulation tubing, and at least one of said outer tube walland said inner tube wall having a tapered inner surface extending fromsaid planar wall to each of said first and second ends for graduallydecreasing the space between said outer tube wall and said inner tubewall defined by said channel to frictionally retain the adjacent ends ofthe pipe insulation tubing within said channel along opposing sides ofsaid planar wall.
 2. A pipe insulation coupling as set forth in claim 1wherein each of said outer tube wall and said inner tube wall includes atapered inner surface extending from said planar wall to each of saidfirst and second ends for gradually decreasing the space between saidouter tube wall and said inner tube wall defined by said channel.
 3. Apipe insulation coupling as set forth in claim 2 wherein said taperedinner surfaces of said outer tube wall and said inner tube wall taperoutwardly from each of said first and second ends to said planar wall todecrease the space defined by said channel such that the space betweensaid outer tube wall and said inner tube wall is less adjacent saidplanar wall than the space adjacent said first and second ends.
 4. Apipe insulation coupling as set forth in claim 3 wherein said inner tubewall defines a center bore extending longitudinally between said firstand second ends adapted to receive an elongated cylindrical pipeencapsulated by the pipe insulation tubing therethrough.
 5. A pipeinsulation coupling as set forth in claim 4 wherein said elongated bodyincludes a first generally C-shaped clam shell portion and a secondgenerally C-shaped clam shell portion.
 6. A pipe insulation coupling asset forth in claim 5 wherein said elongated body includes a living hingeinterconnecting said first and second clam shell portions longitudinallybetween said first and second ends for pivoting said clam shell portionsfrom an open position adapted to receive the pipe and pipe insulationtubing and a closed position coupled about the pipe and adjacent ends ofthe pipe insulation tubing.
 7. A pipe insulation coupling as set forthin claim 6 further including attachment tab extending outwardly fromsaid elongated body adapted to secured said coupling to a supportstructure.
 8. A pipe insulation coupling for coupling adjacent ends ofelongated pipe insulation tubing surrounding a tubular pipe comprising:an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis between a firstend and a second end, said elongated body includes a first generallyC-shaped clam shell portion, a second generally C-shaped clam shellportion and a living hinge interconnecting said first and second clamshell portions longitudinally between said first and second ends forpivoting said clam shell portions from an open position adapted toreceive the pipe and pipe insulation tubing and a closed positioncoupled about the pipe and adjacent ends of the pipe insulation tubing,said first and second clam shell portions of said elongated body portioneach including; a cylindrical outer tube wall extending along saidlongitudinal axis between said first end and said second end, acylindrical inner tube wall spaced inwardly from and generally parallelto said outer tube wall and extending along said longitudinal axisbetween said first end and said second end, said inner tube wall andsaid outer tube wall defining an elongated channel therebetween adaptedto receive adjacent ends of pipe insulation tubing, a planar wallpositioned transverse to said longitudinal axis for interconnecting saidouter tube wall and said inner tube wall midway between said first andsecond ends and adapted to abut the adjacent ends of the pipe insulationtubing, and at least one of said outer tube wall and said inner tubewall having a tapered inner surface extending from said planar wall toeach of said first and second ends for gradually decreasing the spacebetween said outer tube wall and said inner tube wall defined by saidchannel to frictionally retain the adjacent ends of the pipe insulationtubing within said channel along opposing sides of said planar wall. 9.A pipe insulation coupling as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of saidouter tube wall and said inner tube wall includes a tapered innersurface extending from said planar wall to each of said first and secondends for gradually decreasing the space between said outer tube wall andsaid inner tube wall defined by said channel.
 10. A pipe insulationcoupling as set forth in claim 9 wherein said tapered inner surfaces ofsaid outer tube wall and said inner tube wall taper outwardly from eachof said first and second ends to said planar wall to decrease the spacedefined by said channel such that the space between said outer tube walland said inner tube wall is less adjacent said planar wall than thespace adjacent said first and second ends.
 11. A pipe insulationcoupling as set forth in claim 10 wherein said inner tube wall defines acenter bore extending longitudinally between said first and second endsadapted to receive an elongated cylindrical pipe encapsulated by thepipe insulation tubing therethrough.
 12. In combination, a pipe and pipeinsulation coupling for coupling adjacent ends of elongated pipeinsulation tubing comprising: an elongated tubular pipe for transferringfluids therethrough; at least a pair of elongated cellular pipeinsulation tubing encased about said pipe and having adjacent facingends; a pipe insulation coupling for coupling said adjacent ends of saidpipe insulation tubing comprising an elongated body extending along alongitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, said elongatedbody including; a cylindrical outer tube wall extending along saidlongitudinal axis between said first end and said second end, acylindrical inner tube wall spaced inwardly from and generally parallelto said outer tube wall and extending along said longitudinal axisbetween said first end and said second end, said inner tube wall andsaid outer tube wall defining an elongated channel therebetween forreceiving said adjacent ends of said pipe insulation tubing, a planarwall positioned transverse to said longitudinal axis for interconnectingsaid outer tube wall and said inner tube wall midway between said firstand second ends for abutting with said adjacent ends of said pipeinsulation tubing, and at least one of said outer tube wall and saidinner tube wall having a tapered inner surface extending from saidplanar wall to each of said first and second ends for graduallydecreasing the space between said outer tube wall and said inner tubewall defined by said channel to frictionally retain said adjacent endsof said pipe insulation tubing within said channel along opposing sidesof said planar wall.
 13. A combination as set forth in claim 12 whereineach of said outer tube wall and said inner tube wall includes a taperedinner surface extending from said planar wall to each of said first andsecond ends for gradually decreasing the space between said outer tubewall and said inner tube wall defined by said channel.
 14. A combinationas set forth in claim 13 wherein said tapered inner surfaces of saidouter tube wall and said inner tube wall taper outwardly from each ofsaid first and second ends to said planar wall to decrease the spacedefined by said channel such that the space between said outer tube walland said inner tube wall is less adjacent said planar wall than thespace adjacent said first and second ends.
 15. A combination as setforth in claim 14 wherein said inner tube wall defines a center boreextending longitudinally between said first and second ends forreceiving said elongated cylindrical pipe therethrough.
 16. A pipeinsulation coupling as set forth in claim 15 wherein said elongated bodyincludes a first generally C-shaped clam shell portion and a secondgenerally C-shaped clam shell portion.
 17. A pipe insulation coupling asset forth in claim 16 wherein said elongated body includes a livinghinge interconnecting said first and second clam shell portionslongitudinally between said first and second ends for pivoting said clamshell portions from an open position to receive said pipe and said pipeinsulation tubing and a closed position coupled about said pipe and saidadjacent ends of said pipe insulation tubing.
 18. A pipe insulationcoupling as set forth in claim 17 further including attachment tabextending outwardly from said elongated body for securing said coupling,pipe and pipe insulation tubing to a support structure.